Review: It by Stephen King

Title: It
Author: Stephen King
Format: Hardcover, 1156 pages
Pub. Date: September 15th 1986
Source: Lisa


Book Description:

To the children, the town was their whole world. To the adults, knowing better, Derry Maine was just their home town: familiar, well-ordered for the most part. A good place to live. It was the children who saw – and felt – what made Derry so horribly different. In the storm drains, in the sewers, IT lurked, taking on the shape of every nightmare, each one’s deepest dread. Sometimes IT reached up, seizing, tearing, killing . . .

The adults, knowing better, knew nothing. Time passed and the children grew up, moved away. The horror of IT was deep-buried, wrapped in forgetfulness. Until they were called back, once more to confront IT as IT stirred and coiled in the sullen depths of their memories, reaching up again to make their past nightmares a terrible present reality.

Frightening, epic, and brilliant, Stephen King's IT is one of the greatest works of a true storytelling master.

Review:

★★★

This is without a doubt the longest reading experience that I have ever had. I'm a quick reader, and this took me months. Overall, I didn't hate this book, but I didn't enjoy it as much as I wanted to.

Stephen King is a complicated writer. And by that, I don't mean his plots. His resume speaks for itself- the dude can sell a story. I found that this book was in parts, very well written. He is a master at metaphor and description. His language is so detailed that it's often poetic, and it's almost impossible not to be sucked into the storyscapes that he creates. I could picture Derry. I felt like I was in the Barrens, in the house on Neibolt street, and even in Bev's apartment. The language is vivid, and the both the settings and the characters are well thought out and well examined.

This book should be overly complicated, but it isn't. Not only does it follow seven different characters, with chapters that change focus between the seven, but it follows them in two different time periods- when they are children and then when they are adults. He did a wonderful job of making each person distinct enough that it's easy to tell who each chapter is following.

My problem with the writing is that there was too much of it. It often got stale and long, and a bit repetitive. If this had been edited down a bit more, I would have enjoyed it more.

The actual plot of it was fine. I didn't find it scary, though I'll give you that it's disturbing. Most of the scare factors were just ick for me as opposed to fears- blood, guts, bugs, corpses. It's certainly unpleasant, but I didn't quite get the "I need to sleep with the lights on" type of feeling that I was hoping for in this book. Pennywise, beyond his glamour of a clown, is a very odd monster with very odd origins. The book takes a lot of really weird turns that left me a bit confused, although with some closure.

And then there's the whole pre-teen love fest bit. Which.... While nowhere near as graphic as the internet and other reviews had led me to believe... It was a very odd choice to put in the book.

I won't be reading this book again. It was perfectly fine, but because it was so rambling and not really scary, it wasn't my cup of tea. Stephen King doesn't need my validation though, and I already know there are thousands who disagree. More power to them and to him, because he keeps his audience coming back for more.

Double Review: Mini Myths Series by Joan Holub!

Title: Brush Your Hair, Medusa!
Series: Mini Myths
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Format: Board Book
Pub. Date: March 31 2015
Source: Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Description:

The Mini Myths board book series puts a modern spin on ancient Greek mythology for preschoolers.
* MEDUSA refuses to care for her hair, her long locks getting knottier and wilder with each passing page. Her hair rebellion elicits frozen expressions of shock from her family, but nothing will convince Medusa to brush. Only her hairdresser approaches Medusa with bravery and a blade, successfully solving the problem . . . with a short haircut! All are pleased with this drastic yet adorable solution.
* Leslie Patricelli’s depictions of this physical comedy bring a lively visual narrative to Joan Holub’s expertly focused text.
* Includes a short summary of the original Medusa myth at the end.

★★★★★

Review:

I have to be frank, I absolutely love this book. I've gone as Medusa a lot on Halloween because I look just like the adorable little girl Medusa in this book. I have wild, unruly curly blonde hair, and it was always a struggle for me to get my hair brushed too. So this book has a special connection to me, and I love it.

This book narrates a retelling of the Greek myth story of Medusa, the famed Gorgon who could turn men to stone with a glance and had snakes for hair. Holub transforms this story to a relatable, contemporary story of a little girl who just does not want to brush her hair! It's a great spin on a classic story that's well told for a child audience.

The illustrations are what make this book pop. The way that Medusa is drawn is positively adorable. She has a cute mermaid doll, and she is just the cutest little bundle of procrastination ever. I think little girls everywhere will relate to Medusa, but also be enchanted by the little girl on the pages.

What I liked best about this book is the last page. The final page of this board book tale is a simplified, kid-friendly version of the original Medusa myth. I think this is fantastic, because it's an approachable way to introduce kids to Classic literature and myth tradition. I'm a student of the Classic, and this concept warms my heart. I think that this book is a must-have for early elementary education teachers as well as parents who want a fun way to get their kids familiar with mythology.

I received this book in exchange for my honest review.


Title: Make a Wish, Midas!
Series: Mini Myths
Author: Joan Holub
Illustrator: Leslie Patricelli
Format: Board Book
Pub. Date: March 24 2015
Source: Mother Daughter Book Reviews

Description:

Midas wants everything to be his favorite color—yellow! He chooses yellow clothes, eats yellow foods, and uses only the yellow paint at his easel. But when he impulsively paints his beloved green Dinoboo, Midas discovers that too much of a good thing is a big mess! Joan Holub’s carefully crafted text is brought to life by Leslie Patricelli’s famously humorous illustrations. Includes a summary of the original Midas’s Wish myth at the end.

★★★★★

Review:

I'm a Classic student, so when I came across the Mini Myths series I knew I had to give them a read, and I definitely was not disappointed!

Make a Wish, Midas! is a contemporary and child-friendly retelling of the familiar Greek myth of King Midas, who wished from the gods that everything he touched would turn to gold to make him rich, only with some complicated results. This story features little Midas who LOVES his yellow paint so much he wants to cover everything with it. It's a cute and relatable tale that kids are sure to enjoy.

The illustrations definitely help bring this tale to life. They're simple but charming, and done in such bright colors that it's impossible not to be happy and smile while looking through this board book. It's sure to hold a kid's attention and enamor them to the myth that's being told to them.

What I liked best about this book is the last page. The final page of this board book tale is a simplified, kid-friendly version of the original King Midas myth. I think this is fantastic, because it's an approachable way to introduce kids to Classic literature and myth tradition. I'm a student of the Classic, and this concept warms my heart. I think that this book is a must-have for early elementary education teachers as well as parents who want a fun way to get their kids familiar with mythology. This is a great story to read aloud and share together, and is hopefully one that will stick with a child as they grow!

I received a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Birthday Blogoversary Fangirl Bash Part Two Review & Interview: Zeus is Dead by Michael G. Munz!

Title: Zeus Is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure
Author: Michael G. Munz
Format: Kindle Edition
Pub. Date: January 1st 2014
Source: Author

About the Book:

THE GODS ARE BACK. DID YOU MYTH THEM?

You probably saw the press conference. Nine months ago, Zeus's murder catapulted the Greek gods back into our world. Now they revel in their new temples, casinos, and media empires—well, all except Apollo. A compulsive overachiever with a bursting portfolio of godly duties, the amount of email alone that he receives from rapacious mortals turns each of his days into a living hell.

Yet there may be hope, if only he can return Zeus to life! With the aid of Thalia, the muse of comedy and science fiction, Apollo will risk his very godhood to help sarcastic TV producer Tracy Wallace and a gamer-geek named Leif—two mortals who hold the key to Zeus's resurrection. (Well, probably. Prophecies are tricky buggers.)

Soon an overflowing inbox will be the least of Apollo’s troubles. Whoever murdered Zeus will certainly kill again to prevent his return, and avoiding them would be far easier if Apollo could possibly figure out who they are.

Even worse, the muse is starting to get cranky.

Discover a world where reality TV heroes slay actual monsters and the gods have their own Twitter feeds: Zeus Is Dead: A Monstrously Inconvenient Adventure!

Interview:

I'm so excited to have Michael G. Munz back on the blog for a second round of questions to celebrate both my birthday week and this amazing book. Thanks again for taking the time to answer some questions!

Happy to do it! Thanks for the opportunity.

In our previous interview, we talked a little bit about what books and movies inspired you as an author. Since Zeus is Dead is a book that centrals around Greek mythology: What is your favorite mythical movie?

If we're talking Greek mythology, it's a toss-up between Jason and the Argonauts and the original Clash of the Titans. It's been decades since I've seen the former, though. (I should really re-watch it to see if I enjoy it as much as I used to.) Without the Greek qualifier, I'd have to go with The Dark Crystal, which is an amazing creation with a mythology of its very own.

If you were given a spot in the pantheon, what would you like to be the god of?

I'd love to be the god of geeks and geek culture. But I think I'd have to overthrow Wil Wheaton first.

All hail Wesley Crusher. Would you follow the rules, or would you interfere with the lives of your chosen worshippers (or enemies, for that matter)?

I'm one of those weirdos who tries to stick to the rules. Though there IS a difference between bending and breaking, isn't there? I might do a little interfering, if I thought I could get away with it. Mostly, though, I think I'd tend toward humor and pranks rather than doing things that have grand effects on people's lives. Making people laugh is fun.

You're among like minds, I was always tend to follow the rules too. Now, can you tell us a little about your writing process? Do you have to be in a certain room or in a certain mind set?

I have difficulty writing at home (I get distracted with other things), so, as cliché as this may sound, I tend to go out to write in a café or something. I'm lucky enough to have a number of great choices where I live. I find I work best in a place with a lot of warm tones (wood, reds, dark greens, etc.), with enough people in it to keep it lively without being overcrowded. I look for corner tables where I can face the room; it's hard to write if I feel someone is behind me, even if they're not actually paying attention to what I'm doing. (Plus, as we know from Frank Herbert's Dune, sitting with your back to a room is an invitation to assassination!)

Also, some manner of caffeine is helpful.

What scene was your favorite to write?

The first one that comes to mind is the introduction of Baskin, a newly created god of battle and ice cream. It's a short scene, but it was a blast making him come to life. A close second is the scene where Tracy and Leif confront Dionysus in his never-ending party atop the Dionysian Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas.



I do love me some Dionysus. I mean he is the original god of tits and wine. Which scene gave you the most trouble?

The entire bit with The Fates. I really wanted to portray them as being on a completely different level from everyone, gods included. They needed to be mysterious, paradoxical, and beyond. At the same time I needed to keep them funny (this is an adventure comedy, after all) and able to advance the story in a way that wouldn't confuse the reader. What do the Fates look like? What does their abode (a serviceable room above a convenience store at the intersection of the two parallel streets of Sparkwood and 23rd on the eastern side of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan) look like? How do they talk?

It was slow-going, with a lot of revisions. I do like how it turned out, though. Plus I got to introduce the concept of a "Moebius balcony"!

Have you at all considered fundraising to make razorwings a genetic possibility? I would like a litter. (Colony?)

If I may quote Egon Spengler, I think that would be an extraordinarily bad idea. Do you really want a bunch of playfully feral kittens who can chew through metal and slice off a human arm with their wings running around your house spitting paralytic poison on everything? Though that would be cute…

Genetic tampering aside, my publisher and I are considering the possibility of a Kickstarter to make some razorwing plushies, but we need to wait for the book's readership to grow a little more, first. More and more people are reading it each day, though, so, I don't know, maybe this summer? (Keep watching Michaelgmunz.com for news!)

And I believe a group of cats is called a "clowder." Though razorwings themselves travel in swarms…



I WOULD FUND THAT SO HARD. Are you working on any books now?

I'm doing my best to get the third book in my cyberpunk series (The New Aeneid Cycle) completed in time for a late 2015 release. It's called A Dragon at the Gate, and will conclude the trilogy. It's an interesting challenge to make sure the series culminates in a powerful, satisfying way, and I'm excited to see if I can pull it off.

I'm a big fan of cyberpunk, I'll have to check out that series as well. Hades has dominion over those who are no longer with us. If you could chat with any three people, living or dead, who would they be and why?

1) Leonardo da Vinci. I'm sure he was a fascinating guy in general, and it'd be fun to tell him about the modern world and see what he thinks of it. 2) Homer (the author of The Iliad and The Odyssey, not the Simpsons character), assuming he actually existed. The guy was one of the earliest known storytellers, and that, along with his obvious interest in Greek mythology (would he even term it "mythology"?) is pretty tempting. 3) This one's personal.

This is really just a fangirlish request and not even really a question: More Hecate and Hades, pretty please!

Well, I make no promises, but one idea I'm toying with for a Zeus Is Dead sequel does involve Hecate, despite what happened. And there might just be a way for Hades to be involved in that.

…or maybe I'll just toss something together with vampires.

I won't get my hopes up, but I will eagerly await the sequel regardless. Thank you again for being a part of Bitches n Prose!

Review:

★★★★★

So, I came across this book initially on the wonderful imgur. I was drawn in by the puns. Those of you who follow me know I have a serious problem with puns. It's an epundemic. (See!?). Add Greek mythology on top of that? This Classics minoring internet-dweller was sold.

Y'all, this book is effing hilarious. I loved the way that Munz sucked the reader in, not just with the plot of his book but with his engagement with the readers. It was as though the book narrator was telling you, the reader, a story personally. This might sound like an odd comparison, but the way the author "breaks the fourth wall" so to speak with his readers was reminiscent of Lemony Snicket in his Series of Unfortunate Event. But less dark and macabre, of course. I snickered aloud more than once, and that takes skill. I'm admittedly a bit of a humor snob when it comes to books, but I guess me and Munz are just on the same humor wave length because this was simply great.

The story features a lot of characters, including the entire Greek pantheon. This wasn't a problem though. Each character was written in a unique style/personality so that I was never left confused or concerned by the cast. Munz also did a great job with story navigation. Zeus is Dead follows different plot lines and characters, but again the flow just worked well and it was easy to transition. And in a rare display, I was interested in each of these characters' stories. There was never a point where I was like "ugh, we're back on him again?" I thoroughly enjoyed everything that this novel had to offer.

As for the plot itself, I really liked the concept behind it. Could you imagine if any god or gods from any denomination just popped up and said heyyyy we're real by the way and started living like celebrities? I may be alone in this, but I would totally watch Juno's new reality show Juno What I'm Sayin'? or read Rama's new book. There's a hero and a quest and an homage to Hecate which just makes me insanely happy because no one ever mentions Hecate and she's easily my second favorite god(dess). It's a fabulous idea that's well constructed from start to finish. And the more you read, the more you'll want to know what exactly happened to Zeus?

It's worth noting that even though I came to the table with a pretty good knowledge of the Greek gods and goddesses, that is absolutely not a requirement to enjoy this book. Each deity, myth, muse, monster, and any other "m" words are well explained and elaborated. This book is approachable to anyone, regardless of their mythological education. And if that's the case, you just might learn a thing or two from Zeus is Dead.

If you are in search of a Greek epic for the Social Media age, a good laugh, or a book that features fucking murderous flying kittens, then I cannot recommend this book enough. Please go and enjoy this book. It's fantastic and will be joining my Classics shelf as soon as I can get my hands on a physical copy. (And next to my razorwing plushie, right Michael?) Thank you to Munz and his blog tour lovelies for my copy in exchange for my honest review.

Buy it Meow:

You can get your copy today on:

Amazon | BN | iTunes

About the Author:

An award-winning writer of speculative fiction, Michael G. Munz was born in Pennsylvania but moved to Washington State in 1977 at the age of three. Unable to escape the state’s gravity, he has spent most of his life there and studied writing at the University of Washington.

Michael developed his creative bug in college, writing and filming four exceedingly amateur films before setting his sights on becoming a novelist. Driving this goal is the desire to tell entertaining stories that give to others the same pleasure as other writers have given to him. He enjoys writing tales that combine the modern world with the futuristic or fantastic.

Michael has traveled to three continents and has an interest in Celtic and Classical mythology. He also possesses what most “normal” people would likely deem far too much familiarity with a wide range of geek culture, though Michael prefers the term geek-bard: a jack of all geek-trades, but master of none—except possibly Farscape and Twin Peaks.

Michael dwells in Seattle where he continues his quest to write the most entertaining novel known to humankind and find a really fantastic clam linguine.

Find out more about him at michaelgmunz.com. While there, it wouldn't hurt to get a FREE copy of Mythed Connections, the spiritual prequel to Zeus is Dead.

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Graphic Novel Review Roundup: Manga Edition

Title: One is Enough
Author: Love Robert
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: July 8th 2014
Source: Netgalley & Diamond Book Distributors
Buy Now: Amazon

★

One Star.

One is Enough is a quick-read graphic novel about sixteen year old Matsumoto-kun. When he runs into, literally, his senpai Mizushima-kun, he wants to make it up to him. Lines quickly become blurred and the boy must decide how far he's willing to go.

This review is going to be short and sweet. I picked up this book because I'm slowly getting into manga, and I like the idea of senpai-related relationships. Unfortunately, this one didn't meet my expectations. The artwork, well, it wasn't very good for a published graphic novel. It was bland, with a plot to match. I was expecting this taboo, steamy relationship but what I was left with was a boring, flat story that wasn't really anything new or interesting. I really wanted to like it, but this just didn't satisfy me on any level.



Title: Manga Classics: Les Miserables
Author: Stacy King, Tszmei Lee, Victor Hugo
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: August 12 2014
Source: Netgalley & Udon Entertainment
Buy Now: Amazon

★★★★

Four stars.

Les Miserables is a classic novel that has been adapted so many times into films, books, plays, and so much more. It's one of my favorite musicals and a stellar book. When I saw that it had been given the manga treatment, I absolutely could not resist picking it up, and I'm very glad I did.

I was very pleasantly surprised at how well Victor Hugo's 1000+ page masterpiece was condensed into a 300-something page graphic novel. I thought that, upon first picking up, that surely they'd have to take huge chunks of story out. Of course stuff is going to be missing, but I'm astounded that the full story, give or take, remained in this adaptation.

The artwork is well done (very similar to that found on the cover), and the writing is too. It was a fairly easy read, and if you've read the novel before, this makes a nice little complement/refresher. If you are a fan of this story and of graphic novels, this is a book you should pick up for sure. Or, if you're intimidated by the length of Hugo's book (I don't blame you), this is a good first stepping stone to familiarize yourself with the general plot and characters.



Title: Manga Classics: Pride & Prejudice
Author: Stacy King, Po Tse, Jane Austen
Format: egalley
Pub. Date: August 12 2014
Source: Netgalley & Udon Entertainment

Buy Now: Amazon

★★★★

Four and a half stars.

I'm going to start this review off with a confession that might make me seem like a bad bibliophile: I'm not a big fan of Jane Austen. I know that they are classics. I know that they are bestsellers. I know that they have adoring fans. I just have never really loved any of them (although, to be fair, I've only ever read them as an assignment in school). However, when I saw the pretty cover of this manga edition, I decided to give it a shot. I'm very glad I did!

This adaptation gets all the major plot points across while keeping the bulk of the text rather simple and light. It made it easier to read and understand, without having to study intricacies. Plus, I absolutely loved the art. It wasn't super detailed, and yet it still managed to convey the sense of elegance and femininity that most readers associate with Austen's work. It was cute.

If you're an Austen fan, this version of a revered story is worth checking out. If you aren't her biggest fan, like me, I still recommend it: I think I may try to read the original text again to see if my views on it have improved at all.

Thank you to Netgalley & Diamond Book Distributors & Udon Entertainment who provided me with digital copies of these books in exchange for my honest reviews.

Shakespeare v Lovecraft by D.R. O'Brien

Title: Shakespeare v Lovecraft
Author: D.R. O'Brien
Format: Paperback, 125 pages
Pub. Date: April 14th 2012
Source: Goodreads First Reads

★★★★

Four stars.

I received this book through Goodreads First Reads.

Shakespeare v Lovecraft is a novella that follows the classical Shakespearean character Prospero (The Tempest) as he makes a seedy deal with the one and only Cthulhu. Prospero's daughter Miranda, as well as other heroes from Shakespeare plays such as Hamlet, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth must make things right in the universe once more, and try their damnedest to save the day.

---

I have no shame in saying that I have nerdy interests. I could sit and read Shakespeare for hours. Contrarily, I have begun a recent obsession with science fiction, thanks to a not so gentle push from my girlfriend, who also loves it. All that being said, this novella is a perfect blend of my interests, offering a new twist on two classic authors.

+The cover alone is enough to draw you in. It features a Shakespearean gent and two Shakespearean ladies, one of which with one of Cthulhu's tentacles wrapped around her leg. The cover alone features a magic circle, Cthulhu, and pretty women. If that doesn't make you want to read it, well, I don't know what would.

+I feel that the works of both William Shakespeare and H.P. Lovecraft were blended well. The language was that of the Bard, while the beasties are fresh out of Lovecraft science fiction. Despite the major contrast in both time frame and writing style, and not to mention genre, this blend seemed seamless.

+Going based off the Bard once more, the violent scenes did him proud. There was a definite horror/gore element to this story that I was pleasantly surprised with.

+Then too, there was definite comedic aspects. Because.... It's Cthulhu. And Shakespeare.

+In case you didn't hear me, Cthulhu is in this book. That gets a plus mark all to itself.

-I'm not exactly sure what it is, but something is keeping me from giving this a perfect 5 star review. If I can actually pin point what it is, I will edit this review and slip it in.

I recommend it to fans of Shakespeare or science fiction, or ideally both. It's a quick, enjoyable read.

Thank you to Goodreads and D.R. O'Brien for the lovely signed copy.

Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov

★★★★★

Five stars.

I was so excited when my girlfriend bought me this book. I've wanted to read it for a very long time, mainly due to the controversy that still surrounds it, even now.

It was well worth the wait. I positively adored this book. It's written in a detailed, poetic, beautiful way that made me not want to put it down.

That being said, I feel disturbed by my enjoyment of this novel. He has made "nymphets" truly seem wondrous and alluring. His feelings are so raw, so passionate, & a wicked kind of honest. Humbert's actions seem almost rational, his love pure. I often found myself forgetting that his Lolita was so young, & when I was reminded, I was ashamed that I was hoping his plans would be successful, and that they would somehow find a way to be happy together.

I definitely understand the taboo surrounding this book, but in my humble opinion, that's what makes it so brilliant. I am so glad that I read this.